Secession: Are We Free to Go?

Is all the recent talk of secession mere sour grapes over the election, or perhaps something deeper? Currently there are active petitions in support of secession for all 50 states, with Texas taking the lead in number of signatures. Texas has well over the number of signatures needed to generate a response from the administration, and while I wouldn’t hold my breath on Texas actually seceding, I believe these petitions raise a lot of worthwhile questions about the nature of our union.

Is it treasonous to want to secede from the United States? Many think the question of secession was settled by our Civil War. On the contrary; the principles of self-governance and voluntary association are at the core of our founding. Clearly Thomas Jefferson believed secession was proper, albeit as a last resort. Writing to William Giles in 1825, he concluded that states:

“should separate from our companions only when the sole alternatives left, are the dissolution of our Union with them, or submission to a government without limitation of powers.”

Keep in mind that the first and third paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence expressly contemplate the dissolution of a political union when the underlying government becomes tyrannical.

Do we have a “government without limitation of powers” yet? The Federal government kept the Union together through violence and force in the Civil War, but did might really make right?

Secession is a deeply American principle. This country was born through secession. Some felt it was treasonous to secede from England, but those “traitors” became our country’s greatest patriots.

There is nothing treasonous or unpatriotic about wanting a federal government that is more responsive to the people it represents. That is what our Revolutionary War was all about and today our own federal government is vastly overstepping its constitutional bounds with no signs of reform. In fact, the recent election only further entrenched the status quo. If the possibility of secession is completely off the table there is nothing to stop the federal government from continuing to encroach on our liberties and no recourse for those who are sick and tired of it.

Consider the ballot measures that passed in Colorado and Washington state regarding marijuana laws. The people in those states have clearly indicated that they are ready to try something different where drug policy is concerned, yet they will still face a tremendous threat from the federal government. In California, the Feds have been arresting peaceful medical marijuana users and raiding dispensaries that state and local governments have sanctioned. This shouldn’t happen in a free country.

It remains to be seen what will happen in states that are refusing to comply with the deeply unpopular mandates of Obamacare by not setting up healthcare exchanges. It appears the Federal government will not respect those decisions either.

In a free country, governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. When the people have very clearly withdrawn their consent for a law, the discussion should be over. If the Feds refuse to accept that and continue to run roughshod over the people, at what point do we acknowledge that that is not freedom anymore? At what point should the people dissolve the political bands which have connected them with an increasingly tyrannical and oppressive federal government? And if people or states are not free to leave the United States as a last resort, can they really think of themselves as free?

If a people cannot secede from an oppressive government, they cannot truly be considered free.

375 Comments:

We have been betrayed by those we trusted.We have been robbed of our money & property.It happened because we trusted imperfect men to rule imperfect men,& we failed in our duty as watchdogs.It happened because we have been ignorant,apathetic,& even stupid.The Constitution of da United States prohibits both the United States & the separate states from granting titles of nobility. Moreover,certain U.S.citizens are prohibited from accepting foreign titles while holding office of profit or trust.

We are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction which we volunteer to accept.If you volunteer that you are a U.S. citizen,you have become a U.S. citizen.Since these forms are affidavits which you submit under penalty of perjury, you commit a crime every time you fill one out and sign,not. The federal government is delighted by your ignorance, and will gladly accept your returns and your money. As proof, stating that you are what you are not.

Our Constitution is the Constitution for the United States of America. The U.S. Constitution is the Constitution of Puerto Rico. use to once be a slave island.The 1776 constitution(Contract) ONLY apply to the Military and Law enforcement ones so a Cooperate civilization is prepare for fascism.The "Contract" does Not Apply to taxing People who receive constitutional service from "we the people" contractors(capitalist).

thank you Dr. Paul for still speaking out.
I have to say I'm tired of all the talk, it is clear our government is not for the people.
WE NEED TO TAKE REAL ACTION, the time for talk is over, it is time to make plans and put them into action.

I think you are correct. I pitty the poor fool who would mess with Texas. Texas having the largest tank parks and also being the 15th largest economy not bad with a population around 23 to 28 million. I mentioned the part the population would grow as Id move from NC to come there. So long as it is a Constitutional Republic. Take care RealDawg. Signing off for the night.

not to mention, our border patrol is being hindered because the Fed gets in the way and wont let them do what they know they should be doing... If Texas secedes, the border patrol will finally take care of the problem the way THEY want to without those D.C. idiots getting in the way all the time.... so i think we would be good for the most part.

WOW! Straight to the heart of the problem, one more time. Ron Paul is the man to lead you.

Alex Jones said that Ron Paul will be on his show shortly and he has something to announce. He said: "I'll leave to this for now".

Last week Alex said he had a plan to restore the country and that he would contact Ron Paul and try to draft him to be the leader of the restoration of the country thru secession with the Globalists who are now ruling your country. I hope his announcement is about that plan. I'm crossing my fingers!

The District of Columbia (Washington, DC) — where the White House and all Federal Governmental Agencies reside — have passed the point by their anti-American-anti-Constitution ACTIVITIES that they have FORFEITED THE RIGHT to be called the USA. De facto, THEY have already SECEDED from the Union by constitutional default, and any State that wants to secede from THEM is a State that wants to RETURN BACK to the original CONSTITUTIONAL USA!

I think the population of Texas would grow faster than anyone would give credit for. The thought of them returning to a Constitutional Republic would make me and others go there. Dont think Mexico would stand a chance. This nations largest tank parks are in Texas so they can keep them. I think Texas would be free to determine a proper response. Some what as Israel now does. Just a thought for what it is worth.

I am starting to wonder if we are not being a tyrant in disguise but a tyrant in the open. NDAA rigged elections, health care against the majority will of the people passed with not idea whats in it. Fema centers, est, est. Thanks for your service brother. I am not in the military but Im a Police Officer seeing this nation change for the worst. Preparing for the same the day I might have to take the uniform off to resist with my fellow people.

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